RJ Barretts defensive development next phase in evolution with Knicks – New York Post

From Julius Randles 35-point outburst to Evan Fourniers red-hot shooting in overtime, Kemba Walkers Knicks debut to the collapse in regulation, Obi Toppins explosions in transition to Mitchell Robinsons monster night in the paint, there was so much to break down from Wednesday nights regular season-opening double-overtime win over Boston.

RJ Barretts performance was somewhat lost in the shuffle to most observers. But not to Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks defense-first coach.

RJ in the second half was a monster, Thibodeau said.

After a quiet first half, Barrett was one of the best players on the floor. He scored all 19 of his points in the second half and the two overtimes. He didnt commit a turnover, blocked two shots and hit three 3-pointers.

But what really stood out wont appear on a stat sheet. It was his defense against Celtics All-Star wing Jayson Tatum, limiting the rising superstar to a nightmarish 7-for-30 shooting performance. While Tatum did miss some shots he normally makes, Barrett limited his ability to get to the basket and forced him onto the perimeter. In the final seconds of the first overtime, the Celtics isolated Tatum against Barrett, who smothered him and forced the 6-foot-8 forward into a tough baseline turnaround jumper that he missed badly.

I put on a couple of pounds, Barrett said recently. Just trying to be a little heavier, especially since I will be guarding a key guy most every night. So its just to have that strength, hold my weight there, hold myself down against the other competition.

I feel like Im trying. Im trying to do something out there, trying to just be better, trying to be that guy for our team.

It is part of his evolution as a player. Last season, Barretts improvements on the offensive end he shot 40.1 percent from deep and averaged 17.6 points per game helped the Knicks reach the postseason after an eight-year hiatus. Early on Wednesday, his offense wasnt there. He attempted just three shots in the first half, missing all of them. He wasnt really involved offensively, somewhat lost surrounded by more offensive-minded guards in Walker and Fournier.

But in the third quarter, as the ball began moving more, Barrett got hot. He scored 14 points in the stanza, keying a 25-8 Knicks run that turned a seven-point deficit into a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

The thing I liked the most was that he kept his composure, he wasnt rattled, and he kept playing until the game got going his way and that was good to see, Thibodeau said.

One of the big questions for the Knicks this season is at the defensive end, where they were so strong a year ago. Thibodeau and Julius Randle spent most of the preseason stressing the importance of defending, now that the Knicks might be better offensively with the additions of Fournier and Walker.

Their go-to wing defender last season was Reggie Bullock, who they let walk in free agency to upgrade at the other end of the floor. That left a hole defensively, though. The league is loaded with elite offensive wings, players who will test Barretts defense. There, however, arent many as talented as Tatum.

On opening night, Barrett showed he is ready to take on this new role.

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RJ Barretts defensive development next phase in evolution with Knicks - New York Post